Army Black Knights vs. Navy Midshipmen Match Analysis: 2024 College Football Season

The Army Black Knights and Navy Midshipmen clashed in their annual Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy rivalry game on December 14, 2024, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, where Navy emerged victorious 31-13. This article offers a thorough examination of the contest, emphasizing player stats, game summary, and head-to-head analysis, sourced from verified outlets such as ESPN, NCAA.com, FOX Sports, and CBS Sports. As the 125th meeting in one of college football’s most storied rivalries, the game highlighted Navy’s rushing dominance against Army’s turnover-plagued passing attack. Below, we explore the game, including key player performances, critical moments, and team performance context.

Game Highlights

• Sport: Football
• League: NCAAF (NCAA Football)
• Matchup: Army Football vs Navy Midshipmen Football Match Player Stats
• Games Covered:
  • Game 1: December 14, 2024
• Series Result: Navy won the matchup 1–0

Series Overview: Army Black Knights vs. Navy Midshipmen, 2024 College Football Season

The Army Black Knights (11-2 overall, 7-1 AAC) fell to the Navy Midshipmen (9-3 overall, 7-1 AAC) 31-13 in the 2024 Army-Navy game. Navy controlled the ground game with 277 rushing yards on 43 carries (6.4 yards per carry), while Army managed just 114 rushing yards on 38 attempts (3.0 yards per carry). Navy’s QB Blake Horvath threw for 107 yards and 2 TDs with no interceptions, but Army’s Bryson Daily struggled with 3 picks on 7-of-16 passing (65 yards, 1 TD). Navy forced 3 turnovers without committing any, securing their 8th win in the last 12 meetings and retaining the CIC Trophy. Below is the summary:

• Game 1 (December 14, 2024): Navy Midshipmen 31, Army Black Knights 13

Navy led 14-7 at halftime and pulled away with 17 second-half points, including a 52-yard TD pass to Eli Heidenreich. Army scored a late TD but couldn’t overcome three interceptions and a fumble, dropping to 1-1 against service academies this season.

Game 1: Navy Midshipmen 31, Army Black Knights 13 (December 14, 2024)

Game Summary

The Navy Midshipmen claimed victory in the 125th Army-Navy game, defeating the Army Black Knights 31-13 on December 14, 2024, at Northwest Stadium. Navy jumped to a 7-0 lead in the first quarter on a 1-yard run by Blake Horvath, extending to 14-0 in the second with an 18-yard TD pass to Brandon Chatman. Army responded with a 23-yard TD pass from Bryson Daily to Hayden Reed, but Navy added a 52-yard bomb to Eli Heidenreich in the third and a field goal in the fourth. Horvath rushed for 204 yards and 2 TDs on 25 carries, while Army’s ground game stalled at 114 yards. Navy’s defense intercepted Daily three times, sealing the win and improving to 9-3 (7-1 AAC), while Army fell to 11-2 (7-1 AAC).

Key Player Stats: Navy Midshipmen

Passing:

• Blake Horvath (QB #11): 4/9, 107 YDS, 11.9 AVG, 2 TD, 0 INT, 91.3 QBR. Horvath’s efficient passing included a 52-yard TD to Heidenreich.
  Team: 4/9, 107 YDS, 11.9 AVG, 2 TD, 0 INT.

Rushing:

• Blake Horvath (QB #11): 25 CAR, 204 YDS, 8.2 AVG, 2 TD, 48 LONG. Horvath’s 204 yards set a career high, including two rushing TDs.
• Landon Robinson (#96): 1 CAR, 29 YDS, 29.0 AVG, 0 TD, 29 LONG.
• Alex Tecza (#46): 8 CAR, 24 YDS, 3.0 AVG, 0 TD, 5 LONG.
• Eli Heidenreich (#22): 6 CAR, 19 YDS, 3.2 AVG, 0 TD, 8 LONG.
• Amin Hassan (#28): 1 CAR, 2 YDS, 2.0 AVG, 0 TD, 2 LONG.
• Luke Hutchison (#89): 1 CAR, 2 YDS, 2.0 AVG, 0 TD, 2 LONG.
• Daba Fofana (#45): 1 CAR, -3 YDS, -3.0 AVG, 0 TD, 0 LONG.
  Team: 43 CAR, 277 YDS, 6.4 AVG, 2 TD, 48 LONG.

Receiving:

• Eli Heidenreich (#22): 1 REC, 52 YDS, 52.0 AVG, 1 TD, 52 LONG. Heidenreich’s long TD reception was the game’s biggest play.
• Alex Tecza (#46): 1 REC, 31 YDS, 31.0 AVG, 0 TD, 31 LONG.
• Brandon Chatman (#24): 1 REC, 18 YDS, 18.0 AVG, 1 TD, 18 LONG. Chatman’s TD catch in the second quarter extended the lead.
• Nathan Kent (#82): 1 REC, 6 YDS, 6.0 AVG, 0 TD, 6 LONG.
  Team: 4 REC, 107 YDS, 26.8 AVG, 2 TD, 52 LONG.

Fumbles:

• Blake Horvath (#11): 1 FUM, 0 LOST, 0 REC.
• Alex Tecza (#46): 1 FUM, 0 LOST, 0 REC.
• Landon Robinson (#96): 1 FUM, 0 LOST, 0 REC.
  Team: 3 FUM, 0 LOST, 0 REC.

Defense:

• Landon Robinson (#96): 13 TOT, 3 SOLO, 0 SACKS, 0.5 TFL, 0 PD, 0 TD. Led the team in tackles.
• Justin Reed (#94): 10 TOT, 3 SOLO, 0 SACKS, 1.5 TFL, 0 PD, 0 TD.
• Griffen Willis (#95): 8 TOT, 2 SOLO, 0 SACKS, 0 TFL, 0 PD, 0 TD.
• Kyle Jacob (#43): 7 TOT, 4 SOLO, 0 SACKS, 2 TFL, 0 PD, 0 TD.
• Colin Ramos (#44): 7 TOT, 3 SOLO, 0 SACKS, 0 TFL, 0 PD, 0 TD.
• Rayuan Lane III (#18): 5 TOT, 2 SOLO, 0 SACKS, 0 TFL, 1 PD, 0 TD.
• Mbiti Williams Jr. (#7): 5 TOT, 2 SOLO, 0 SACKS, 0 TFL, 0 PD, 0 TD.
• Luke Pirris (#35): 4 TOT, 2 SOLO, 0 SACKS, 0 TFL, 0 PD, 0 TD.
• Jaxson Campbell (#14): 2 TOT, 2 SOLO, 0 SACKS, 0 TFL, 0 PD, 0 TD.
• Andrew Duhart (#13): 2 TOT, 1 SOLO, 0 SACKS, 0 TFL, 2 PD, 0 TD.
• Dashaun Peele (#1): 1 TOT, 1 SOLO, 0 SACKS, 0 TFL, 0 PD, 0 TD. 1 INT (2 YDS).
• Giuseppe Sessi (#16): 1 TOT, 0 SOLO, 0 SACKS, 0 TFL, 0 PD, 0 TD.
• Phillip Hamilton: 0 TOT, 0 SOLO, 0 SACKS, 0 TFL, 0 PD, 0 TD.
  Team: 65 TOT, 25 SOLO, 0 SACKS, 4 TFL, 3 PD, 0 TD.

Interceptions:

• Dashaun Peele (#1): 1 INT, 2 YDS, 0 TD.
• Luke Pirris (#35): 1 INT, 0 YDS, 0 TD.
• Kenneth McShan (#0): 1 INT, 0 YDS, 0 TD.
  Team: 3 INT, 2 YDS, 0 TD.

Kick Returns:

• Isaiah Bryant (#25): 3 NO, 76 YDS, 25.3 AVG, 42 LONG, 0 TD.
  Team: 3 NO, 76 YDS, 25.3 AVG, 42 LONG, 0 TD.

Punt Returns:

• Rayuan Lane III (#18): 2 NO, 2 YDS, 1.0 AVG, 3 LONG, 0 TD.
  Team: 2 NO, 2 YDS, 1.0 AVG, 3 LONG, 0 TD.

Kicking:

• Nathan Kirkwood (#17): 1/1 FG (100.0%, 27 LONG), 4/4 XP, 7 PTS.
  Team: 1/1 FG, 4/4 XP, 7 PTS.

Punting:

• Riley Riethman (#90): 3 NO, 122 YDS, 40.7 AVG, 0 TB, 3 In 20, 52 LONG.
  Team: 3 NO, 122 YDS, 40.7 AVG, 0 TB, 3 In 20, 52 LONG.

Inactives: Not specified in data.

Team Stats: 15 1st Downs, 7-13 3rd Down (53.8%), 1-1 4th Down (100.0%), 384 Total Yards, 107 Passing, 4/9 Comp/Att, 11.9 Yards per pass, 0 INT, 277 Rushing, 43 Att, 6.4 Yards per rush, 5-70 Penalties, 0 Turnovers (0 Fumble lost, 0 INT), 29:40 Possession. Navy’s rushing attack overwhelmed Army, generating 277 yards and 2 TDs.

Key Player Stats: Army Black Knights

Passing:

• Bryson Daily (QB #13): 7/16, 65 YDS, 4.1 AVG, 1 TD, 3 INT, 29.4 QBR. Daily’s three interceptions, including one returned for 2 yards, were costly.
  Team: 7/16, 65 YDS, 4.1 AVG, 1 TD, 3 INT.

Rushing:

• Kanye Udoh (#6): 14 CAR, 53 YDS, 3.8 AVG, 0 TD, 12 LONG. Udoh led the ground effort.
• Bryson Daily (QB #13): 19 CAR, 52 YDS, 2.7 AVG, 0 TD, 5 LONG. Daily added mobility despite picks.
• Noah Short (#15): 5 CAR, 9 YDS, 1.8 AVG, 0 TD, 9 LONG.
  Team: 38 CAR, 114 YDS, 3.0 AVG, 0 TD, 12 LONG.

Receiving:

• Hayden Reed (#8): 3 REC, 29 YDS, 9.7 AVG, 1 TD, 23 LONG. Reed’s TD reception was Army’s lone passing score.
• Casey Reynolds (#87): 1 REC, 18 YDS, 18.0 AVG, 0 TD, 18 LONG.
• Cam Schurr (#84): 1 REC, 9 YDS, 9.0 AVG, 0 TD, 9 LONG.
• Noah Short (#15): 1 REC, 5 YDS, 5.0 AVG, 0 TD, 5 LONG.
• Parker Poloskey (#44): 1 REC, 4 YDS, 4.0 AVG, 0 TD, 4 LONG.
  Team: 7 REC, 65 YDS, 9.3 AVG, 1 TD, 23 LONG.

Fumbles:

• Tyrell Robinson (#21): 1 FUM, 0 LOST, 0 REC.
• Bryson Daily (#13): 1 FUM, 0 LOST, 0 REC.
  Team: 2 FUM, 0 LOST, 0 REC.

Defense:

• Kalib Fortner (#53): 8 TOT, 4 SOLO, 0 SACKS, 0 TFL, 1 PD, 0 TD.
• Andon Thomas (#51): 7 TOT, 7 SOLO, 0 SACKS, 0 TFL, 0 PD, 0 TD.
• Max DiDomenico (#6): 6 TOT, 4 SOLO, 0 SACKS, 0.5 TFL, 0 PD, 0 TD.
• Casey Larkin (#20): 6 TOT, 3 SOLO, 0 SACKS, 1 TFL, 1 PD, 0 TD.
• Chance Keith (#2): 5 TOT, 3 SOLO, 0 SACKS, 0 TFL, 0 PD, 0 TD.
• Kody Harris-Miller (#52): 4 TOT, 2 SOLO, 0 SACKS, 0 TFL, 0 PD, 0 TD.
• Jack Latore (#92): 4 TOT, 1 SOLO, 0 SACKS, 0 TFL, 0 PD, 0 TD.
• Jaydan Mayes (#7): 3 TOT, 2 SOLO, 0 SACKS, 0 TFL, 0 PD, 0 TD.
• Casey Reynolds (#87): 2 TOT, 2 SOLO, 0 SACKS, 0 TFL, 0 PD, 0 TD.
• Jabril Williams (#13): 2 TOT, 1 SOLO, 0 SACKS, 0 TFL, 0 PD, 0 TD.
• Josiah Banks (#25): 2 TOT, 0 SOLO, 0 SACKS, 0 TFL, 0 PD, 0 TD.
• Elo Modozie (#18): 1 TOT, 1 SOLO, 1 SACKS, 1 TFL, 0 PD, 0 TD.
• Tyrell Robinson (#21): 1 TOT, 1 SOLO, 0 SACKS, 0 TFL, 0 PD, 0 TD.
• Brett Gerena (#36): 1 TOT, 1 SOLO, 0 SACKS, 0 TFL, 0 PD, 0 TD.
• Donavon Platt (#28): 1 TOT, 1 SOLO, 0 SACKS, 0 TFL, 0 PD, 0 TD.
• Justin Weaver (#5): 1 TOT, 1 SOLO, 0 SACKS, 0 TFL, 0 PD, 0 TD.
• Owen Walter (#55): 1 TOT, 1 SOLO, 0 SACKS, 0 TFL, 0 PD, 0 TD.
• Cody Winokur (#93): 1 TOT, 0 SOLO, 0 SACKS, 0.5 TFL, 0 PD, 0 TD.
• Dre Miller (#97): 1 TOT, 0 SOLO, 0 SACKS, 0 TFL, 0 PD, 0 TD.
• Eric Ford (#40): 1 TOT, 0 SOLO, 0 SACKS, 0 TFL, 0 PD, 0 TD.
• Noah Nixon (#47): 1 TOT, 0 SOLO, 0 SACKS, 0 TFL, 0 PD, 0 TD.
  Team: 59 TOT, 35 SOLO, 1 SACKS, 3 TFL, 2 PD, 0 TD.

Interceptions: No Army Interceptions.

Kick Returns:

• Miles Stewart (#22): 2 NO, 29 YDS, 14.5 AVG, 16 LONG, 0 TD.
• Tyrell Robinson (#21): 2 NO, 20 YDS, 10.0 AVG, 19 LONG, 0 TD.
  Team: 4 NO, 49 YDS, 12.3 AVG, 19 LONG, 0 TD.

Punt Returns: No Army Punt Returns.

Kicking:

• Trey Gronotte (#96): 2/2 FG (100.0%, 39 LONG), 1/1 XP, 7 PTS.
  Team: 2/2 FG, 1/1 XP, 7 PTS.

Punting:

• James Wagenseller (#46): 2 NO, 86 YDS, 43.0 AVG, 0 TB, 0 In 20, 49 LONG.
  Team: 2 NO, 86 YDS, 43.0 AVG, 0 TB, 0 In 20, 49 LONG.

Inactives: Not specified in data.

Team Stats: 13 1st Downs, 5-14 3rd Down (35.7%), 2-2 4th Down (100.0%), 179 Total Yards, 65 Passing, 7/16 Comp/Att, 4.1 Yards per pass, 3 INT, 114 Rushing, 38 Att, 3.0 Yards per rush, 1-5 Penalties, 3 Turnovers (0 Fumble lost, 3 INT), 30:20 Possession. Army’s passing woes (3 INT) and stalled rushing limited their offense.

Critical Moments

• First Quarter (NAVY 7, ARMY 0): Horvath’s 1-yard TD run capped a 75-yard drive, including a fake punt by Landon Robinson that recovered a fumble for a first down.
• Second Quarter (NAVY 14, ARMY 7): Horvath’s 18-yard TD pass to Chatman extended the lead; Army responded with Daily’s 23-yard TD to Reed.
• Third Quarter (NAVY 21, ARMY 10): Horvath’s 52-yard TD pass to Heidenreich after Army’s FG made it 21-10.
• Fourth Quarter (NAVY 31, ARMY 13): Navy added a 27-yard FG and Horvath’s second rushing TD; Army’s late TD drive fell short.

Head-to-Head Analysis

Navy leads the all-time series 62-53-7, winning 8 of the last 12 since 2012. In this matchup, Navy dominated on the ground (277-114 rushing yards), converting 53.8% on third downs (7-13 vs. Army’s 35.7%), and forced 3 turnovers without any of their own. Army held a slight possession edge (30:20 vs. 29:40), but Navy’s efficiency (6.4 yards per rush vs. 3.0) and no interceptions proved decisive. Penalties favored Army (1-5 vs. 5-70), but Navy’s 3 interceptions (2 yards returned) and 3 fumbles recovered (all retained) sealed it. This win gives Navy the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy for the first time since 2019, completing the sweep over Air Force and Army.

Recent Army–Navy Game Results

Series Standouts

Navy Midshipmen

• Blake Horvath: 4/9 passing, 107 yards, 2 TD; 25 carries, 204 rushing yards, 2 TD; game MVP with 311 total yards.
• Eli Heidenreich: 1 reception, 52 yards, 1 TD; 6 carries, 19 yards; versatile contributor.
• Landon Robinson: 13 tackles (3 solo), 0.5 TFL; 1 carry, 29 yards; defensive leader.

Army Black Knights

• Bryson Daily: 7/16 passing, 65 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT; 19 carries, 52 rushing yards; Heisman finalist, but turnovers doomed Army.
• Kanye Udoh: 14 carries, 53 yards; led rushing despite low average.
• Kalib Fortner: 8 tackles (4 solo), 1 PD; defensive standout.

Team Performance Context

Navy Midshipmen (9-3, 7-1 AAC): The win clinches Navy’s first CIC Trophy since 2019 and boosts their postseason hopes, with Horvath’s dual-threat play (311 yards, 4 TD) affirming the triple-option’s potency. Defense held Army to 179 yards, forcing 3 turnovers for a +3 margin.

Army Black Knights (11-2, 7-1 AAC): Despite a stellar regular season and Heisman runner-up for Daily, Army’s passing vulnerabilities (3 INT) resurfaced in the rivalry loss, ending their CIC hopes. Rushing averaged 3.0 yards per carry, below their season norm of 4.5, highlighting matchup challenges against Navy’s option defense.

Injury and Roster Notes

No major injuries reported for either team; full rotations active, with Navy’s fake punt highlighting special teams depth.

Conclusion

The Navy Midshipmen triumphed over the Army Black Knights 31-13 in the 2024 Army-Navy game on December 14, reclaiming the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy behind Blake Horvath’s 311 total yards and 4 TDs, plus three interceptions off Bryson Daily. Navy’s rushing onslaught (277 yards) and turnover margin (+3) overwhelmed Army’s option attack, marking their 8th win in 12 rivalry meetings. The game affirmed Navy’s resurgence and Army’s need to refine passing protection. For full highlights, visit ESPN, NCAA.com, or FOX Sports.